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In Home Care for Alzheimer's Disease |
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Disorientation inside the home is a problem that usually manifests in
later stages of Alzheimer's disease. In order to avoid this as long as
possible, it is vital that the Alzheimer's patient's home remains
absolutely unchanged. Even something as insignificant as moving furniture
or small items can cause disorientation and worsen confusion.
To an
Alzheimer's patient, sameness and continuity are of the utmost importance.
The longer their routine continues undisturbed,the longer they will retain
vital daily functions such as remaining continent, eating, or going to bed
because the pattern remains familiar. It is well-known to carergivers and
health professionals that the quality of life for an Alzheimer's sufferer
is much better in a familiar environment for as long as it is possible to
safely keep them there. Confusion becomes much more acute and apparent
once they are moved to a strange environment.
A classic example of
Alzheimer's patients suffering from being moved to another environment is
when it is necessary to admit them to the hospital. Because of the
hospital's fast-paced environment, an Alzheimer's patient's confusion and
disorientation becomes frighteningly apparent. Many carergivers and
friends fault the hospital for the apparent change in the patient's
demeanor. However, in reality, they have only appeared highly-functioning
because the Alzheimer's sufferer has been able to disguise their waning
cognitive skills by embracing their familiar environment. It is only when
they are removed from that comfort zone that problems become apparent.
Manifestations of the problems include incontinency, refusal to eat,
sadness and depression.
It is because of this that hospital
admittance for someone with Alzheimer's disease should only be undertaken
as a last resort. An unwarranted hospital stay can result in depriving the
patient of their potentially tenuous hold on reality and independence. If
assessed in the hospital environment, an Alzheimer's sufferer performing
such a mundane task as making a cup of tea would probably perform
terribly. Yet if that same patient were asked to perform the identical
task once returned home, he or she would most likely do moderately well.
This is a result of the return to a familiar routine, and is evidence of
the importance or home visits for people suffering from Alzheimer's after
they have been admitted and discharged from the hospital. This helps to
ensure that they are not being wrongly-assessed or inappropriately-placed.
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